Holder for a portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic support and carrying device for use on a bicycle or motorcycle in which the electronic device is jam secured in a convenient position for carrying and accessing by a cam-type securing arrangement operable with a single hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to supports and holders for portableelectronic devices such as wireless/cellular telephones, personaldigital assistants (PDA's), walkie-talkies, electronic organizers, andthe like, and more particularly to a holder for securing such devices tothe handlebars or frame of a two or three-wheeled vehicle such as abicycle or motorcycle.

[0002] In recent years, there has been a rapid proliferation in theavailability and use of personal or mobile electronic devices,particularly wireless/cellular telephones, personal digital assistants(PDA's), electronic organizers, two-way radios, global positioningsystem (GPS) devices and the like. Such devices are generally compact insize and are slim and light enough to be carried easily in a coat pocketor handbag, and are usually sold with a either a leather or vinylcarrying case or cover. However, such covers often do not include asuitable means for securing the device to a holding surface, and as aresult a large number of holders, particularly for holding cell phones,have been developed and are known in the prior art. For example, holdersfor affixing a cellular phone either looped or clipped to the belt ofthe user (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,704 and U.S. Pat. No.5,833,100), or mounted in an automobile (for example, U.S. Pat. No.5,745,565, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 328,078, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 402,666) arewell known. Other more specialized holders, such as for securing atelephone to a hospital bed (U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,277), for activating afan in the holder when the air temperature reaches a predeterminedlevel, having a suction cup mounting arrangement (U.S. Pat. No.5,996,950), and securing the phone to a laptop computer (U.S. Des. Pat.No. 426,235), are also known. Although each of these known storage orholding devices may be satisfactory for their specific purposes, none ofsuch holders resembles the holder of the present invention, which ismade preferably for cycles of various sorts, such as a mountain or roadbike, but which can also be attached to other types of vehicles orsurfaces, and which in general incorporates a cam lock arrangement.

[0003] The present inventor is also aware of several holdersparticularly designed to secure a wireless phone or other portableelectronic device to a bicycle or motorcycle. U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,509issued to R. LaPorte et al. on Jun. 13, 1995 discloses a combinationpersonal radio or cassette player and water bottle holding device foruse on a stationary exercise bicycle. The LaPorte et al. holder,however, does not contain any means for actually securing or lockingsuch equipment to the holder, and thus would not be very practical foruse on a mountain bike or motorcycle because such equipment could easilypop out of the holder. U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,243 issued to A. J. Rogowskion Jan. 1, 1991 discloses a device for carrying a Walkman-type radio orcassette player on a bicycle. The cassette player is secured in aframe-like structure, which structure is then removably secured byhook-and-loop type fasteners to a platform affixed to the handlebars.U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,040 issued to R.R. Ward on Apr. 27, 1999 discloses adevice for mounting a cellular telephone to a motorcycle gas tank.However, such holder is basically a rectangular closure or pocket intowhich a phone is placed and zipped, and is affixed to the gas tank bymagnets. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,707 issued to J. Bowes, Jr. onJul. 25, 2000 discloses a protective casing for holding a telephonewhich is designed to be fitted into a water bottle holder frame on abicycle or other apparatus. While numerous other devices are known forsecuring equipment to the handlebar area of a bicycle or motorcycle,including a rifle (U.S. Pat. No. 553,614), flashlight (U.S. Pat. No.4,170,337), helmet (U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,825), and sports equipment (U.S.Pat. No. 6,029,874), none of such devices teaches a holding devicehaving the benefits and advantages of the present inventor's device.Using the present holder, a mobile phone, PDA, or other personalelectronic device may be quickly and easily secured to the handlebars ofa bicycle, motorcycle, or virtually any surface where it is desired thatsuch device be secured. In fact, the present holder allows an electronicdevice to be quickly and easily locked and unlocked using one hand,simply by turning the locking knob. Furthermore, the design of thelocking or holding arrangement is such that even severe bumps and shocksderived from the road surface do not tend to loosen or release thedevice from the holder, thereby preventing possible loss along the roadwhile at the same time leaving the device readily accessible to therider or user. The dimensions and features of the inventor's holder alsoresult in a more attractive and distinctive holder than other knownholders.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a holder for anelectronic device such as a cellular telephone, electronic organizer,two-way radio and the like.

[0005] It is a further object of the invention to provide a holder forreleasably securing an electronic device to the handlebars or frame of abicycle or motorcycle.

[0006] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a holderwherein both the height and pitch of the holder are easily adjustable.

[0007] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a holderwherein the electronic device is held securely to the holder by acam-type locking system.

[0008] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a holderhaving protective ribs which encircle the electronic device and protectit from damage both from impact with other objects while in the holderand from slipping out of the holder.

[0009] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a holderhaving a cam-type locking arrangement which is resistant to shocks andvibrations and wherein the device clamped within is still easilyreleased when it is desired to be used.

[0010] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a holderfor use on cycles and the like that is both attractive and readilyadjustable.

[0011] It is a still further object of the invention to provide a holderwhich can be used to secure the electronic device to virtually anysurface.

[0012] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeclear upon review of the following detailed description in conjunctionwith the appended drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides a simple and effective holder forportable electronic devices such as wireless or cellular telephones,pagers, PDA devices, portable cd players, a Walkman, or other similarportable electronic devices. In the preferred embodiment, the holdingdevice is designed to detachably lock or secure a wireless telephone tothe handlebars of a vehicle such as a mountain bike, road bike ormotorcycle. The holder consists essentially of a base preferablybevelled on its upper surface to receive a cell-type telephone. Thelocking means consists of a pair of rubber-coated stops or pins spacedalong one side of the base and a spring-loaded eccentric cam-type lockaffixed to the opposite side, which together provide a three-pointlocking system. A pair of semicircular ribs or arms extend over thefront of the base, in effect creating a protective cage within which thephone is housed. To use the holder, the phone is inserted into theholder along the upper portion of the base until it contacts a plasticstop disposed along the lower end. The cam lock knob is then turned,thereby causing the phone to be locked between the rubber-coated pinsand the rubber or polymeric material surfaced cam lock. The cam lockpreferably operates in opposition to a flexible or spring loaded stop tofacilitate secure grasping of the electronic unit. The holder willnormally be affixed to the handlebars of a bicycle or motorcycle by anadjustable support arm or preferably a pair of support arms attached toa bracket or brackets secured to the bottom of the base. Both the heightand pitch of the holder can be adjusted using a swivel locking mechanismprovided associated with the adjustable support arms. The exactdimensions of the holder may be easily altered or, alternatively, madeadjustable to provide holders in an unlimited number of different sizesand shapes, thereby allowing the holder to be used with virtually anystyle or shape of phone or other portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of theholder of the invention mounted in one preferred orientation upon thehandlebars of a bicycle.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the holder in a second preferredorientation upon the handlebars of a bicycle.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the holder.

[0017]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the eccentric cam locking mechanismof the holder of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of theholder of the invention having a double pivoting arrangement.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of theholder of the invention having an alternative style cam knob and showinga cell phone clamped in the holder.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 6, shown in FIG. 7 mounted upon the handlebars of abicycle.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention having a single instead of a double pivoted mounting.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the single pivot mounting shown inFIG. 8 showing how the clamp portion may fold partially into an openingin the bottom of the holder to save room in storage or shipping.

[0023]FIG. 10 is a top view of the holder being used to hold or secure acellular phone.

[0024]FIG. 11 is a top view of the holder as shown in FIG. 10 but withthe locking knob removed and with the cam of the lock in an unlockedposition.

[0025]FIG. 12 is a top view of the holder similar to FIG. 11 with thecam of the lock in a locked position.

[0026]FIG. 13 is a top or plan view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention dimensioned for holding a personal digital assistant (PDA).

[0027]FIG. 14 is a top or plan view of another alternative embodiment ofthe invention dimensioned for holding a GPS receiver.

[0028]FIG. 15 is a top or plan view of an alternative adjustableembodiment of the invention for holding or securing variable sizeelectronic devices of various types.

[0029]FIG. 16 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of theinvention wherein the holder is secured directly to a support surface byscrews.

[0030]FIG. 17 is a side elevation wherein the holder is adhesivelysecured to a support surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The following detailed description is of the best mode or modesof the invention presently contemplated. Such description is notintended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example ofthe invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and byreference to which in connection with the following description and theaccompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of theadvantages and construction of the invention.

[0032] FIGS. 1-4 and 10-12 illustrate the preferred embodiment of theholder of the invention specifically designed for holding a cellularphone, while FIGS. 5-10 and 13-17 show alternative embodiments of theholder for holding other similar devices or with somewhat differentarrangements or having alternative surface attachment means.

[0033]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of theholder 10 shown mounted to the handlebars 90 of a cycle in one preferredorientation. Holder 10 is preferably constructed from aircraft aluminumand is black anodized, although other suitable materials and finishesmay be used in construction of the holder. Base 20 has a top or uppersurface 22, back or bottom surface 24 (visible in FIG. 3), upper or openend 26, lower or closed end 28, first side 30, second side 32, andcentral area 34. The corners of the base may be angled or curved,although this is not critical to the function of the holding device.Upper surface 22 is bevelled starting at front portion 26, forming adownwardly sloping area 36. A slot or second channel 38 is machined inthe central area 34, creating a guideway or channel to provide clearancefor a phone clip secured to the back side of the phone so that the phoneis seated securely in the holder 10. Adjacent bevelled area 26 is clipguide 39 which acts as a leadway for the phone clip into slot or secondchannel 38. Slot 38 is preferably a thru-slot, but could be only partway through. Although not required, central area 34 may be coated with acushioning material or have a cushioned insert such as rubber to provideadditional shock absorbing characteristics to the holder.

[0034] Extending upwardly along the first side 30 of the upper surface22 of the base 20 are spaced-apart rods or retaining pins 40 and 42.Such retaining pins 40 and 42 are preferably either wedged or pressedinto corresponding holes in the base 10 or, alternatively, may bethreaded and screwed into mating threads in the base. The outer surfaceof pins 40 and 42 is preferably covered with a rubber, or otherresilient, non-slip coating 44, either in the form of a series of rubberO-rings or a one-piece rubber barrel stretched around the circumferenceof the pins. As will become evident, such retaining pins act as a stopor surface against which the phone is secured using the cam lockingmeans of the invention. Bar 46, preferably made from plastic, is securedacross the lower end 28 of the upper surface 22 of the base therebyclosing off the lower end 28 to prevent the phone from possibly slidingover or bouncing off the lower end when in use. Spaced apartsemicircular protective ribs or bars 50 and 52 are attached along thefirst and second sides 30 and 32 of the upper surface 22 of the base 20,arching over the central area 34. When the holder is in use, ribs 50 and52 create a semi-cage over the phone or electronic device, significantlydecreasing the chances of the device becoming damaged in a collision orimpact or dislodging from the holder 10. Such ribs not only serve toprotect the supported electronic apparatus from external jars andimpacts occasioned by outside agencies, but also protect it frominadvertent semi-external impacts, such as could be occasioned by thehand of the user reaching for the electronic apparatus without closeattention and accidentally impacting such device with a force sufficientto knock it from the holder.

[0035] Bolted generally near the lower portion 28 on the bottom surface24 of base 20 is a means for securing the holder to the handlebars 90 orframe of a bicycle or other vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, suchmeans includes swivel mechanisms 62 a and 62 b (see FIG. 3) andhandlebar engaging brackets 70 and 72 comprised of two-part clamps 84 aand 84 b and which brackets are formed by inner and outer semi-circularclamping members 86 a and 86 b and 88 a and 88 b , respectively. In thepreferred embodiment, each bracket 70 and 72 is secured to a separateswivel, labelled 62 a and 62 b respectively, by the pair of armsextending between the swivel mechanism support 60 and the bracket 70. Toinner clamping member 88 a there is secured supporting member 89 a ,which serves as a base or support for structural extensions or arms 64 aand 64 b , which pairs of arms support swivel connection 62 a .Similarly, arms 66 a and 66 b extend between swivel 62 b and supportingmember 89 b of bracket 72. Locking arms 68 a and 68 b allows the swivelmechanism 62 a and 62 b to be easily adjusted in the usual manner sothat the pitch of the base portion of the holder can be angled asdesired by the rider.

[0036] In the preferred embodiment, clamps 84 a and 84 b are hinged suchthat they may be easily opened and placed around the handlebars 90 andsecured by screw threaded fastenings, shown as machine bolts 92 and 94.However, one of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar with othermeans for attachment of a bracket or clamp to a cylindrical surface,such as a nut and bolt or strap arrangement. In addition, a lockingmechanism for adjusting the pitch or angle of the holder swivelconnections 62 a and 62 b may be provided. This comprises rotatable headmember 95 having a threaded shaft threaded into stationary bracket 60which is securely connected to the bottom or lower surface of the base20.

[0037] In mounting the holder 10 on the handle bars of a cycle or thelike, the clamps 84 a and 84 b are mounted over the handlebars, byremoving the threaded securing device or machine bolts 92 and 94 fromengagement with inner clamp members 86 a and 88 a and pivoting outerclamp members 86 b and 88 b upwardly on pivots 102 a and 102 b so outerclamp members 86 b and 88 b fit or extend over the handlebar. Outerclamp members 86 b and 88 b are then resecured to inner clamp members 86a and 88 a by engagement of the threaded fastenings 92 and 94 with athreaded orifice in inner clamp members 86 a and 88 a , respectively.Clamping of the two clamp sections 86 and 88 together by rotation ofthreaded fastening 92 and 94 is made with the brackets 70 and 72 at anangle upon the handlebars such that the supporting rods or arms 64 a and64 b and 66 a and 66 b extend out in a direction in which it is desiredto position the swivel members 62 a and 62 b with respect to handlebars.For example, in FIG. 1, the supporting rods or arms 66 a and 66 b extendgenerally over the front of the handlebar 90, shown in broken lines, sothe holding device 10 is mounted generally in front of the handlebars.In FIG. 2, on the other hand, the brackets 70 and 72 are shown generallyunderneath the base 20 so that supporting rods 66 a and 66 b extendrearwardly and slightly upwardly, placing the electronic apparatusholder 10 just above the handlebars and frame of the cycle.

[0038] In an improved version of the invention of a holder shown in FIG.5, the bracket member 89 is made in two parts 89 and 89 a , the section89 being similar to the section 89 shown in the previous figures whilethe section or part 89 a is secured to the section or part 89 by ascrew-threaded member having a rotating head or knob 96 a similar to theknob 68 a on pivot member 62 a and 62 b . As in the previously describedconstruction, rotation of the knob 96 a serves to draw the bracketmember 89 a tightly against member 89 so the entire unit or assemblybecomes substantially rigid. In this embodiment, the clamp members 86and 88 may be secured to the handlebar 90 in the orientation shown inFIG. 1 and the bracket position 89 a then rotated to whatever rotationalorientation is desired merely by loosening and retightening the knob 96a rather than loosening and retightening the clamp sections 86 and 88.It will be understood in this regard that the abutting surfaces of theswivel members 89 and 89 a should be preferably somewhat roughened sothat their relative rotational positions can be more easily clampedtogether in abutting position, providing a variety of relativerotational positions.

[0039] It will be noted that the orientation of the support arms 64 aand 64 b in FIG. 1, the pivot is mounted forwardly of the handlebar 90with the bracket sections 89 a and 89 b positioned on top of thehandlebar 90 and inner and outer clamping sections 86 and 88, while inFIG. 2 the bracket section 89 is mounted below the handlebar 80 andclamping members 86 and 88. This change may be obtained by merelyreversing the clamping sections 86 and 88 on the handlebars if there aretwo pairs of orifices in the bracket sections 89 for positioning of thesupporting arms or rods 66 a and 66 b as shown in FIG. 5 in brokenlines.

[0040] As shown in the various FIGS., the locking mechanism 100 of theholder 10 is affixed to the base 20 generally centrally along the secondside 32, a portion of which side 32 preferably extends outwardly toaccommodate the locking mechanism 100. A rectangular aperture 102 is cutor machined in the base 20, into which plate 104 is fitted. See inparticular FIGS. 1 and 4. Plate 104 is slightly narrower than aperture102 and is held or movably secured to the base 20 by a pair of stainlesssteel rods 106 and 108 which extend through matching openings ororifices 110 and 112 in the outer side wall 114 of aperture 102 andmatching openings or orifices 116 and 118 in plate 104. Such rods 106and 108 are press fitted into or soldered to the base 20. Coiled springs120 and 122 are fitted over rods 106 and 108 respectively and positionedbetween plate 104 outer side wall 114 such that plate 104 can be movedlaterally with respect to holder 20 but is generally tensioned or pushedagainst the inner side wall 124 of the aperture 102. See FIGS. 1, 4, 11,12 and 15. The springs 120 and 122 will allow the locking mechanism 100to “flex” slightly, preventing damage to the electronic equipment duringlocking, while at the same time keeping constant lateral tension on thelocked device so that it cannot slip out of the lock absent an unusuallyforceful jolt or blow. The springs also provide nearly constant pressureupon the locked device so that slight rotation of the locking cam willnot tend to dislodge the electronic device. The spring tensionarrangement also provides sufficient tension play so that the cam member130 as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 11, and 12 can be essentially centered inlocked position, preventing the cam from having an off-center forceapplied to it in a tightened position, which further prevents anytendency to back off or become loose upon jiggling, vibration, or thelike of the holder. This is particularly important if the turning of thecam lock is to be kept reasonably free, allowing it to be used not onlyby those with powerful grips, but also those with lesser strength intheir hands.

[0041] Extending vertically through the center of plate 104 is a furtherhole or orifice 130 for housing rod or key portion 132, which is fittedinto hole 130 and is secured on its lower end by C-clip 134. Shaft 136is secured to the upper end of rod 132 such that the shaft 136 isoff-center, or eccentric, with respect to the rod 132. Knob 140 isattached to the upper end of shaft 136 by shaft engaging portion 142.Knob 140, shaft 136, and rod 132 may be either machined from a singlepiece of material or machined separately and secured together in anyusual or conventional manner. An aluminum sleeve 144 fits over theeccentric shaft 136, with such sleeve being covered with rubber O-ringsor a rubber coating, designated generally as 148. The aluminum or othermetal sleeve 144 is shown interiorly of the rubber coating 148.

[0042]FIGS. 6, 10, 11, and 12 show a wireless or cellular phone 200housed or situated in central area 34 in base 20 in a locked andunlocked position, respectively, and with the holder situated as shownin FIG. 1, while in FIG. 6 phone 200 is shown below knob 140 and ribs 50and 52. In FIG. 11, knob 140 (not shown) is turned so that the phone isunlocked in the holder, i.e., the eccentric shaft 136 is not biasedagainst the phone 200. As the knob is turned, either clockwise orcounterclockwise, to the locked position shown in FIG. 12, shaft 136 isturned so that it juts or presses against the phone 200. This in turnpresses the phone 200 tightly against retaining pins 40 and 42 along thefirst side 30 of the front 22 of base 20, thereby securing the phone inthe holder. Movable plate 104 and springs 120 and 122 upon which shaft136 is mounted allow a little “give” in the lateral or inward forceapplied against the phone 200 by the eccentric shaft 136, therebypreventing the shaft from cracking or crushing the phone while turningthe knob 140. In addition, once the phone 200 is locked in place, thesprings 120 and 122 exert a constant inward or lateral force, therebymaintaining a constant pressure on the shaft 136 on the phone 200 toprevent it from coming loose. The phone 200 Will be held against therubber rings or covers on the retaining pins 40 and 42 and shaft 136,providing additional cushioning or shock absorbing capability as thecycle travels over bumpy or rough terrain. In addition, bar 46 and ribs50 and 52 in combination With the retaining pins 40 and 42, shaft 136and the central channel 34 machined into the base essentially create aprotective cage over and around the phone 200.

[0043] When securing an electronic device in the holder 10, it mayeither be placed directly in the holder without any cover over suchdevice, or alternatively first placed in a protective cover and thenfitted into the holder. Most electronic devices are sold With aflexible, thin Vinyl or leather cover to help prevent such devices frombeing scratched or accumulating dirt. Alternatively, such device may beplaced in a sealable plastic bag or the like if the holder is attached,for example, on a mountain bike or dirt bike which might be used in therain or in an area where mud or large amounts of some other residuecould contact such device.

[0044] The use of a simple eccentric cam-type lock in the inventionallows for electronic equipment such as a wireless phone to be simplyand easily locked into the holder. The cam lock converts the rotarymotion of turning the locking knob into longitudinal motion exerting aninward force against the device. The device can also be quickly unlockedsimply by turning the knob 140 another half-revolution or less, therebymoving the eccentric shaft so that it is generally in the unlockedposition shown in FIG. 11. Such locking and unlocking can be easilyaccomplished using one hand so that the phone can be quickly accessedeven while the bicycle or motorcycle is moving, although for reasons ofsafety it is preferably that the rider come to a complete stop first.

[0045] As is illustrated in the various figures, the holder 10 may bepositioned in a wide variety of orientations on handlebars 90. While themost common orientation may be with the holder positioned above theframe of the bicycle as shown in FIG. 2, the holder can also situated onthe handlebars 90 so that it extends over the front of such handlebarsand is essentially over the front wheel of the vehicle as shown inFIG. 1. Of course, there are virtually an infinite number oforientations between those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in which theholder can be positioned, since both the angle at which the brackets 70and 72 are attached to the handlebars as well as the pitch of base inrelation to the swivel mechanism 60 can be set depending upon thedesires of the rider.

[0046]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a holder in accordance with theinvention in which the knob 140, designated as 140 a , takes or assumesa cylindrical shape rather than a wheel or dish configuration and mayitself have a rubberized surface for better grasp by the fingers of theuser. Otherwise, the holder shown in FIG. 6 is essentially identical tothat shown in FIG. 2, except that a cell phone is shown clamped in theholder. FIG. 7, which is a front elevation of the holder of theinvention clamped to the handlebar 90 of a bicycle in a substantiallyhorizontal configuration, shows the same cylindrical configured camactivation knob as shown in FIG. 6, but does not show an actual cellphone clamped in the holder as is shown in FIG. 6.

[0047]FIG. 8 shows the alternative use of a single support armarrangement on the bottom of the holder. A bracket 60 b is attached tothe bottom of the holder. Between the bracket 60 b and a rotatable clamp95 is a rotatable or adjustable swivel section 62 c . Support arms 64 a(not shown in FIG. 8) and 64 b extend from swivel section 62 c to acentral connecting section 89 a between two handlebar clamps 84 c and 84d with the same general construction as handlebar clamps 70 shown inFIGS. 1 through 3 and 5 through 7. One clamp instead of two could beused, but the use of two clamps close together as shown provides a morebalanced structure. The bracket 60 b is mounted eccentrically upon thebottom of the holder, but since it is secured integrally to the bottomof the holder, the eccentric positioning is not detrimental,particularly with the two clamping members 84 c and 84 d . An extra widecutout or opening 38 a in the bottom of the holder is provided toaccommodate the wider clamping arrangement, allowing the clamps 84 c and84 d to be swiveled partially through the opening 38 a as shown in FIG.9 when the holder is being shipped or stored in order to take up lessspace and to allow a smaller overall package. The handle 68 a is madeshorter in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in order to allow itto be partially rotated more easily. It may be desirable in many casesto use a short cylindrical extension (not shown) to turn or rotate thehandel more easily. Such cylindrical extension can be removed andreapplied as necessary to provide more clearance for turning.

[0048]FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention whereinthe base 320 of the holder 310, rather than being shaped to hold awireless telephone, is shaped to hold a device such as the currentlypopular Palm Pilot®. Generally, such devices are slightly wider andshorter than a typical wireless telephone, although obviously there area wide variety of such devices each having different dimensions.Regardless of the device being held, the holder 310 is designed to holdsuch device in the same manner as is illustrated above, i.e. theeccentric cam lock is turned to quickly and simply lock the device onthe base between the rods or retaining pins 40 and 42 and eccentricshaft 130. To further illustrate, FIG. 14 shows the holder 410configured to hold a two-way global positioning (GPS) device.

[0049]FIG. 15 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the devicewherein the width of the base 620 can be adjusted depending upon thenature or dimensions of the device to be held. FIG. 15 shows such base620 in a slightly expanded position. Base 620 consists of two halves,labelled 620 a and 620 b , both approximately the same size, which areslidably connected by arms or slide rods 682 and 684. Such arms or rodsmay be locked in several positions, depending upon the desired width ofthe base, by engaging notches 686 on arms 682 and 684 into matchinggrooves 88 in arm guides 690. In addition, ribs 650 a , 650 b , 652 a ,and 652 b are also made from individual pieces which are slidablyengaged such that, for example, rod 650 a engages rod 650 b in a mannersuch that it fits inside rod 650 b . Similarly, rod 652 a slidablyengages rod 652 b . As will be understood, in order to facilitate suchadjustment, it is desirable for such ribs to be rectangular rather thanarcuate in order to facilitate such adjustment.

[0050] While the electronic equipment holding device of the presentinvention is illustrated in the preferred embodiment as having a pair ofhandlebar engaging brackets (70 and 72) and corresponding swivel 60,other versions, such as shown in FIG. 13, having only one bracket arealso contemplated. In FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, as explained abovebracket 770 swivel mechanism 760 are centrally located upon or attachedto the bottom side of base 720. In addition, while it is believed thatthe construction shown in the preferred embodiment results in a sturdyand attractive holding device, other holder designs having generally thesame inventive properties are also contemplated. For example, while theholding device is illustrated as being engagable to the handlebars of abicycle or other cylindrical surface using the brackets 70 and 72, otherattachment means may be used to secure the holder to different types ofsurfaces. For example, rather than being attached to a cylindricalsurface, the holder could be attached directly to a horizontal orvertical surface, such as the dashboard of an automobile, a laptopcomputer, or an other desired location. FIG. 16 shows a holder 810having bolts 860 a and 860 b extending from bottom surface of theholder, which allow the holder 810 to be secured to planar surface 866by nuts 862 a and 862 b . In addition, FIG. 17 shows the holder 910having an adhesive pad 960 attached to the bottom surface of the holder,which allows the holder 910 to be adhesively attached rather than boltedto a planar surface. Despite such various securing means, in each ofsuch contemplated embodiments the device will continue to utilize theeccentric cam lock mechanism, which allows an electronic device attachedto the holder to be quickly and simply placed into the holder andlocked, and then subsequently removed from the holder.

[0051] While the present invention has been described at some length andwith some particularity with respect to the several describedembodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any suchparticulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to beconstrued with references to the appended claims so as to provide thebroadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior artand, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A support for holding an electronic device to a surface, thesupport comprising: (a) a base member for supporting the electronicdevice; (b) means for securing or locking said electronic device to thebase member by applied transverse force; and (c) means for connectingthe base member to a surface.
 2. A support as described in claim 1wherein the base member is pivoted on the securing means.
 3. A supportas described in claim 2 wherein the means for securing the electronicdevice is a cam-type locking means.
 4. A support as described in claim 3wherein the means for securing the electronic device incorporates springbiasing in opposition to the cam in the cam-type locking means.
 5. Asupport as described in claim 4 wherein the support is pivotable tovarious angle from horizontal.
 6. A support is described in claim 5wherein the support is mounted upon pivoting support arms and is jamlockable in various orientations.
 7. A support as described in claim 6wherein the support is pivotable in at least two separate positions. 8.An apparatus for securing an electronic device such as a wirelesstelephone to the handlebars of a vehicle comprising: (a) a base forreceiving and supporting the electronic device; (b) a pair of postsspaced apart along the periphery of one side of the base; (b) a cam-typelock attached to the base on the side opposite the posts for engagingthe electronic device and locking it to the base between the posts andthe cam lock; (c) at least one bracket which is connected pivotably atone end to the base, the bracket being used for securing the apparatusto a support surface.
 9. A apparatus in accordance with claim 8additionally comprising (d) spring biasing clamp arrangement arranged inopposition to the cam-type lock to prevent loosening of the cam lockingas a result of vibrations and the like.
 10. An apparatus in accordancewith claim 9 additionally comprising (e) arm means for pivotinglyholding the base.
 11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10additionally incorporating at least two pivots and associated jamlocking means to secure the base in various orientations.
 12. Anapparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein the electronic apparatusis cradled in a depression in the base and is protected from impact fromabove by a semi-cage extending over the top.
 13. An apparatus inaccordance with claim 12 wherein said semi-cage incorporates at leasttwo impact bars extending over the position of the electronic equipment.14. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein the arm means forpivotably holding the device is pivotable into at least two positions.15. A method for using an electronic device on the handle bars of avehicle comprising the steps of: (a) placing the electronic device in aholder mounted upon the vehicle handlebars; (b) tightening a jam-typeclamping device against the electronic device; (c) upon occasion to usethe electronic device, loosening the clamping device and holding saiddevice in the cyclists hand and against an ear to communicate; and (d)upon completion of said conversation replacing the electronic device inthe jam-type clamping device and with one hand setting the jam-typesecuring device against the electronic device.
 16. A method inaccordance with claim 15 wherein the jam-type securing device is a camarrangement and such device is rotated with the fingers of one hand totighten and untighten the cam clamping.